Netflix Lands Ricky Gervais Movie ‘Special Correspondents’ For 2016

April 6, 2015 8:16am

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Netflix has acquired rights to Special Correspondents, the satirical comedy movie written and directed by Ricky Gervais and starring Eric Bana. It will premiere worldwide next year and marks the latest feature film play for the streaming giant, which has now pacted with several big comedy names for original movies including Judd Apatow and Adam Sandler.

In this one, Bana plays a struggling New York-based radio journalist whose arrogance and decadent lifestyle has hindered his career. With his job on the line, he fakes front-line war reports from the comfort of his hideout above a Spanish restaurant in the heart of Manhattan. The movie was first revealed in October. Sales kicked off the next month at AFM where Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions bought a package of overseas rights, with production slated to start this spring.

“Special Correspondents is classic Ricky Gervais; smart social satire with heart,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos in announcing the pickup today. “It’s the kind of great grown-up comedy that studios rarely make anymore, one that’s perfect for Netflix members around the world.”

This article was printed from https://deadline.com/2015/04/netflix-ricky-gervais-movie-special-corrspondents-eric-bana-1201405057/